- President Donald Trump predicted that Cuba’s government “is gonna fall pretty soon,” citing economic pressure and political instability
- He reiterated that Havana “wants to make a deal so badly” amid worsening shortages and a US energy blockade
- Trump noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would lead US policy on Cuba moving forward
In an interview on Friday, March 6, President Donald Trump boldly stated that Cuba’s government "is gonna fall pretty soon," escalating his rhetoric against the communist-ruled island already facing severe economic strain due to a US-imposed energy blockade.
Speaking to CNN, Trump said, “They want to make a deal so badly,” when discussing Cuba's future.
His remarks followed a suggestion made the previous day that after the ongoing war with Iran, the US would shift its focus to Cuba.
"We’ve got plenty of time, but Cuba’s ready, after 50 years," Trump remarked, elaborating that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be taking charge of the Cuba agenda.
Trump and Rubio, both with strong Cuban-American ties, have long expressed their desire to foster regime change in Havana.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has been a staunch advocate for a tougher US stance against the Cuban government.
Cuba, already reeling from an ongoing economic crisis exacerbated by the US trade embargo since 1962, is now suffering from the fallout of a blockade on energy supplies.
Washington's actions have significantly disrupted Cuba's fuel imports, particularly after the US-backed capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who had been a critical oil supplier to the island.
Since January 9, Cuba has not received any oil imports, forcing airlines to cut back flights and deepening the country’s long-standing economic woes.
Trump, in his conversation, made it clear that he believed the situation was reaching a breaking point for Cuba.
“I’ve been watching it for 50 years, and it’s fallen right into my lap because of me, it’s fallen, but it’s nevertheless fallen right into the lap. And we’re doing very well,” he said.
Havana, meanwhile, accuses Trump of intentionally tightening the economic noose around the country, claiming that the administration’s actions are deliberately aimed at strangling Cuba's economy.
The country is enduring extended power outages and severe shortages of fuel, medicine, and food.
Trump's remarks about Cuba are part of a broader narrative in which he has previously hinted at taking further action on the island following the completion of military efforts in the Middle East.
During a White House briefing on Thursday, March 5, he indicated that Cuba would be a priority after the ongoing situation with Iran.
"He's doing some job, and your next one is going to be, we want to do that special Cuba,” Trump said, referring to Rubio’s role in the future Cuba policy.
“He’s waiting. But he says, ‘Let’s get this one finished first.’”